Repeat DWI offender sentenced to 50 years in prison

From Community Reports

Published
7:00 pm CDT, Tuesday, May 4, 2010

CONROE - A driver arrested by Pct. 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden in East Montgomery County August 2009 was convicted on Tuesday of Driving While Intoxicated (aggravated) and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Hayden testified during the trial that he stopped a pickup driven by Rodney Dale Hood, 53, of Cleveland, who was intoxicated on prescription medication and had a woman and two small children as passengers.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Matlock prosecuted the case in the 410th District Court before visiting Judge Reagan Clark.

Hood is a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal history including five or more prior DWI convictions. Because the charge is aggravated, Hood must serve half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole in 2035, at which time he will be 78 years old.

Hayden said he is pleased with the sentence and would like to thank the District Attorney’s Office for their tough stance on DWI.